Refrigerating apparatus



May 7, I940.

L. A. PHILIPP REFRIGERATING, APPARATUS Original Filed 001;. 17, 1938 5 Shee't.sSheet l 'INVENTOR.

Lawn/lax I? Pl/u. IPP

ATTORNEY.

May 7, 1940. 1.. A. PHILIPP REFRIGERATING APPARATUS ori inal Filed Oct. 17, 1936 5 Sheet-Sheet 3 INVENTOR. Mums/m2 4. PH. [PP

ATTORNEY.

May 7, 1940. L. A. PHlLlPP REFRIGERATING' APPARATUS Original Filed Oct. 17, 1936 5 Sheets-Shee t 4 I 11/ W w w W m m. E 0 WM w I A 0., P CL 4 J Q. L wv m w M w w M.

May 7, 1 940.

I L. A. PHILIPP REFRIGERATING APPARATUS Original Filed Oct. 17, 1936 5 Sheets-Sheet 5 R m 0 0 Mm w 1 fl a M m N' A ATTORNEY.

, Patented May 7,

' UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE 2,199,415 REFRIGERATING armaa'rvs Maryland Application October 17, 1936, Serial No.106,118

I Renewed January 9, 1940 Claims.

' This invention relates to refrigerating systems and processes, and more particularly to refrigerating systems in which a pump or compressor is employed for compressing the refrigerant.

One of the objects of the present invention is to provide a new and improved process of refrigeration wherein lubricant particles entrained in the gaseous refrigerant withdrawn from the evaporating element are separated from; the rem Another object is to provide a process of refrigeration wherein lubricant particles entrained in the gaseous refrigerant withdrawn from the evaporator are separated therefrom in a low pressure zone by centrifugal force.

Another object is to provide a system and process of refrigeration wherein the gaseous refrigerant passing from the evaporator to the compressor is. caused to pass through a rotating device and thereby subjected to centrifugal action whereby lubricant particles entrained in the refrigerant will be separated therefrom.

Another object is to provide a system and process of refrigeration in which" gaseous refrigerant and lubricant are transferred from a vaporizing zone through a low pressure zone to a compr'es sing zone and in which the refrigerant and lubricant are subjected to centrifugal action in the low pressure zone in such a manner that the lubricant particles entrained in the refrigerant will be separated therefrom and, accumulated in the low pressure zone.

A further object is to provide a system and process of refrigeration employing a compressor and driving motor therefor arranged within a hermetically sealed casing, which comprises admitting gaseous refrigerant and lubricant into the casing under low pressure and causing the I refrigerant during its passage from within the casing to the compressor to pass through the rotating element of the driving motor whereby to separate entrained lubricant particles from the refrigerant by the centrifugal action of the rotating element.

A further object is to providefa system and process of refrigeration wherein the passage of lubricant particles entrained in the gaseous refrigerant through the pumping mechanism is minimized.

A still further object is to provide a system and process of refrigeration in which lubricant is accumulated in a reservoir and agitated in a new frigerant prior to the compression of the same.

present invention comprises certain features of arrangements of parts and steps in the process to be hereinafter described with reference to the accompanying drawings, and then claimed.

In the drawings which illustrate suitable embodiments'of the invention Fig. 1- is a diagrammatic view of one form of refrigeration system in which the present invention may be incorporated. v

Fig. 2 is a side elevation of the compressor device employed in the system, a portion of the tating element of the driving motor showing a deflecting member which may be associated therewith.

Fig. 8 is a side elevation of a slightly modified form of the compressor element, portions of the casing being broken away to show a means which may be employed to agitate lubricant which may accumulate within the casing Fig. 9 is a transverse section taken approximately on' line 98 of Fig. 8 showing the lubricant agitating means.

Fig. 10' is a side elevation of a motor compressor unit of modified form, the casing portion being broken away.

Fig. 11 is an enlarged vertical section taken approximately on line i l-H of Fig. 10.

Fig. 12 is a fragmentary section taken approximately on line i2-l2 of Fig. 11.

Fig. 13 is a transverse section taken approximately on line l3-|3 of Fig. 10.

Fig. 14 is a transverse section taken approximately on line il-il of Fig. 10 showing a bottom plan view of the compressor.

Fig. 15 is a section taken approximately on line l5-i5 of Fig. 11 showing the passageways and valve of the unloading device, and

Fig. 16 is a. fragmentary section showing the suction or inlet passage. I

Briefly stated, the system and process of the present invention employs a suitable refrigerant which, for the purpose of illustration, is caused to-pass through a cycle which consists in compressing the refrigerant in the gaseous or vaporized form, removing the heat therefrom to cause it to condense into liquid form, allowing the refrigerant in the liquid form to evaporate and thus absorb heat, and causing the refrigerant in the gaseous form during its passage to the compressor, to enter a low pressure zone, wherein, prior to the compression step, the refrigerant is subjected to centrifugal action whereby lubricant particles which may be entrained therewith are separated therefrom by centrifugal force, and the separated lubricant allowed to accumulate in the low pressure zone. Furthermore, the accumulated lubricant is agitated in a new and novel manner so as to provide fora rapid transfer of heat whereby to prevent the same from becoming excessively heated.

In the accompanying drawings, in which like numerals refer to like parts throughout the several views, I have shown, for the purpose of illustration, a compression device of the hermetically sealed type.

The casing surrounding the compressor and driving motor forms a low pressure chamber or zone in which the gaseous refrigerant passes through passages in the rotating element of the driving motor in its passage to the compressor and is acted upon by centrifugal force for separating entrained lubricant particles therefrom. It is to be understood, however, that means other than the rotating element of the compressor motor may be employed for separating the lubricant particles by centrifugal force in this low pressure zone. It is to be understood also that the present invention is not limited to refrigeration systems of the compressor-condenser-expander type.

The compressori II, shown for the purpose of illustration, is of the hermetically sealed type having, as shown in Figs. 2, 3 and 5, a sealed casing I i providing a chamber l2 within which there is a horizontal pump cylinder II located near the bottom thereof.

Associated with the pump cylinder II is a vertical shaft II having an eccentric II thereon which vactuates a connecting rod II, the rod II being pivoted to a piston i'l reciprocally mounted in the bore II of the cylinder II.

The crankcase portion II of the cylinder II is provided with a closure plate II, the shaftv iI being journalled in the side wall of the crankcase portion II and in the closure plate II as shown in Fig. 5.

The shaft II projects upwardly beyond the plate II and carries the rotating element II of the electric motor, and surrounding the element 2! is the motor winding 22 which is supported by an annular element II connected with and supporting the. cylinder iI and crankcase portion II, the closure plate II being surrounded by the element II.- The element II closely and continuously fits the interior wall of the casing II and forms at one side thereof with said inner wall chambers II, II and II, as shown in Fig. 3. The upper portion of the element II is provided with an opening 21 which places that portion of chamber II which is above the element II in communication with the chamber II, the chambers II and II being in communication with each other through an opening II, and the chambers II and II being in communication with each other through an opening 29.

The cylinder bore II is closed in by a cylinder head II and valve plate IIa, the valve plate IIa being disposed between the cylinder II and cylinder head II. The cylinder head II is provided with a suction e II which communicates with the inlet port Ila of the plate Ila, and with an outlet passage II, which communicates with the outlet port I20 of the plate IIa. Associated with the plate Ila is a suitable valve II, which may be of the reed type for closing the port Ila during the compression stroke of the piston l1, and associated with the port IIa is a vlave II for closing the port Ila during the suction stroke of the piston II. The valves II and II however may be of any suitable type.

The inlet passage II is provided with a conduit II which communicates with the chamber II, and connected with the outlet pasasge I2 is an outlet conduit IIa which extends to an outlet connection IIb extending through the wall of the casing ii in sealed relation.

In order to relieve the electric motor of the starting load of the compressor, I prefer to employ an unloading device. Any suitable device may be employed. However, I have shown a form of device in the drawings which is particularly adaptable to the motor and compressor unit illustrated.

Referring to Figs. 3, 4 and 5 the compressor cylinder II is provided with a passageway IIc opening into the compression space of the cylinder. This passageway is provided with an annular valve seat, and mounted in the passageway is a slidable pin I'l having a tapered end II which is cooperable with the valve seat II to provide an unloader valve.

Communicating with the passageway IIc adjacent the tapered end of pin I1 is a passage II provided with an upwardly extending conduit II which terminates above the level of liquid in the chamber II as seen in Fig. 2.

The slide pin I1 is pivoted intermediate the ends of a bar Ii located below the axis of the shaft II, one end of the bar II being pivotally supported by a plate I! secured to the cylinder head II, and the other end being connected by a tension spring II to a bracket II secured to the crankcase portion II. The shaft II is provided with an axial passage II within which a rod II is positioned,-

the upper end of the rod extending above the rotating part II of the motor, and having a spoollikemember I! fixed thereto. .Secured to the upper side of the rotating element II of the motor are spaced brackets II having spaced interconnecting pivot pins II upon which a pair of upwardly extending members II are pivoted. The members II are provided with fixed pins Ii disposed at opposite sides of the bottom of the groove in the spool-like member. As shown-in Figs. 8 and I, the members II normally engage each other and are urged to this position by tension springs I! which interconnect the same. With the members II in the position shown in Fig. I, the rod II, through the medium of the bar Ii, and against the tension of the spring II, holds the pin I'I away from the valve seat II, whereby the cylinder bore II will be in open communication with the chamber l2 above the level of the liquid therein, so that during the starting period the refrigerant drawn into the piston bore is by-passed to the chamber it. Also secured to the upper surface of the rotating element 2 i, outwardly of the members II, are brackets II, which serve as stops to limit the pivoting movement of the members II. During the time that the motor is gaining speed, the members II gradually move away from each other and allow the spring II to close the valve seat so that the refrigerant drawn into the piston bore will be 2,199,415 compressed and discharged during normal operation through the discharge passageway 32.

Referring to Figs. 3 and 5, it will be noted that the rotating element 2| is provided with a plurality of apertures 51 extending therethrough,

-which are for a purpose to be later described.

The-casing II is provided with an inlet fltting 30 which opens into the chamber I2 above the level of the liquidtherein, and the member 23 is also cut away to provide an opening 53 adjacent the inlet fitting.

Referring to thediagrammatic illustration in Fig. 1 the outlet connection 33b is connected through conduit 00 with a suitable condenser 0|, which, in turn, connects through lit uid conduit 32 with the evaporator 03,. the flow of liquid refrigerant to the evaporator 33 being under the control of any suitable device, such as for example, a float mechanism 34 associated with the conduit 02. The evaporator 33 is, in turn, connected with the inlet connection 53 by means of conduit 65.

Preferably, the system is intermittently operated and, in order to control the operation of the compressor, I have provided, as a suitable control means,-an automatic control switch 66 which is responsive to changes in temperature of the evaporator 63 through the medium of a thermostat control device 61 associated with the evaporator. Obviously, other control means may be employed.

In' the operation of the system of the present invention the gaseous refrigerant, compressed in the bore I0 of the compressor, flows through conduit3ia and into the condenser 0| through the conduit 60 where it 'is liquifled and from which it is delivered to the evaporator 63 by means of the liquid conduit 32 under the control of the floa mechanism 64.

The chamber I2 provides a low pressure zone and the gaseous refrigerant is withdrawn from the evaporator 63 through conduit 65 into thispasses through chambers 25 and 26 and conduit- 35 into the compressor inlet passageway 3|.

Due to the centrifugal action of the rotating element 2| upon the refrigerant being drawn through the apertures 51, entrained lubricant particles are separated by centrifugal force and thrown outwardly beyond the rotating element 2|, and drain back to the lower or reservoir portion of the chamber I2 through the annular space between the rotating element 2| and the motor winding. Also some of the lubricant particles drain back along the outer sides of the apertures 51.

In order to facilitate the centrifugal action in separatingthe lubricant particles from the refrigerant, suitable outwardly directed deflectors 33, such as shown in Fig. 7, may be associated with each of the apertures 51 of the rotating upper of which receives lubricant through a recess and passageway 33 in the plate 20, the recess and passageway forming a pocket for-catchspiral groove 04 at the lower end of the shaft I4 in crankcase portion I0 conducts lubricant to v 0, the bearing surface of the lower end of shaft I4. As will be noted the closure plate is.formed with an opening 30 therethrough, and the recess or pocket 55 which communicates with opening 50. The lower end of the spiral 54 formed in crankcase portion I3 is in open communication with the lubricating oil in the crankcase through a slot 54a and the upper end extends to the upper surface of crankcase portion I3 for conducting lubricant to the moving parts of the compressor. Rotation of shaft I4 will cause lubricant in slot 54a to be flung outwardly into spiral groove 54 in crankcase portion I0 by centrifugalforce. Thus the lubricant is delivered to the moving parts of the compressor under pressure. Should too much lubricant be introduced to the piston and connecting rod chamber the surplus is free to overflow through opening 56 back to the crankcase reservoir and some to the pocket 55.

If desired, a small paddle wheel 83 may be provided on the lower end of the rod 40 to agitate the lubricant accumulated in the lower portion of the chamber I2, in order to provide for a more rapid transfer of heat whereby the lubri- "cant in the lower portion of the chamber will be maintained at a lower temperature.

In Figs. 10 to 16, I have shown a slightly modified form of motor compressor unit, in which the same principle of separating entrained lubricant particles is employed. In this construction an inverted cup-shaped casing I00 is employed, secured thereto by bolts I02. The annular casting I03 is provided with a single eccentric flange I04, which preferably continuously engages the inner wall of the casing I00 with a press flt, near the upper end thereof.

The casting I03, as in the case, of the casting 23 shown in Fig. 5, is provided with a depending portion I05, which carries an integralcompressor 45 cylinder portion I06 and crankcase portion I01,

" the upper side of the crankcase portion I0I being open and provided with a closure member I08. The shaft I03, having an eccentric I I0 thereon, is journaled in lower and upper bushings I I I and H2, respectively, which are respectively carriedby boss portions I I3, formed on the lower portion of the crankcase portion I01, and the closure member I08, respectively.

The eccentric |I0 carries a connecting rod 4 which operates a piston I I5 slidably mounted in the bore II6 of the cylinder I06. The motor for driving the compressor comprises a winding III carried by an annular shell 8 which is supported by the annular casting I03, and a rotatingelement II3a, secured to a projecting portion I III of the shaft I09 which extends above the closure member I03. The rotating element |I8a is provided with apertures I20 extending therethrough corresponding to the apertures 51 shown in Fig. 5. x

The compressor is provided with a cylindrical unloading device which is similar to the device previously described and therefore does not need to be described in detail, except to refer to the fact that the rod I2I isresiliently supported upon a flat spring member 2| 22 carried by the valve actuating lever I23, as shown in Fig. 11.

Referring to Figs. ll, 14 and 15, the casing I 00 is provided with an inlet fltting I24 which regis- 75 ters' with an opening lil formed in the wall of the casing III, the opening in turn registering with apassageway I20- formed in the flange IN of the casting I. The-passageway III is provided with a conduit I21 which er rtends downwardly within the casing to, a region adjacent the closure plate ill as shown in' Fig. the conduit Ill having a bleeder opening III-at its upper end. The open end of the conduit is below 10 the level of/the lubricant in the chamber provided by the casing Ill and during the operation of the apparatus the gaseous refrigerant flows through the conduit m and bubbles up through the lubricant in the bottom of the casing, and 15. then is drawn upwardly through openings III formed in the casting IIS, and passes through the apertures III in .the rotating element Ilia. into the chamber ljl, provided in the casing above the flange I which has sealed engagement there- 90 with. The gaseous refrigerant then flows through the conduit ltl arranged in a chamber I". and. enters a muilling chamber III, provided by a cup-shapedstamping I83, secured to the flange Ill, which eliminates what is known as as line-hum. The refrigerant is then drawn from the muiiling chamber it! through a conduit I into the suction-intake passageway it! of the compressor. The compressed-refrigerant, after it leaves the compressor, flows through a conduit 80 I into a muiiling chamber I31, provided by a pair of cup-shaped stampings I" which are secured together.

The compressed refrigerant flows from the I muiiiing chamber ll'l through a conduit Ill argg ranged adjacent the lower portion of the casing I", to anoutlet fitting I extending through 1 the wall of the caslnglli.

By causing the incoming gaseous refrigerant to discharge into the casing below the level of Q the lubricant therein, the lubricant is continuously agitated by the refrigerant esca g therefrom, which provides for a rapid trans er of heat. so as to minimise heating of the lubricant in the lower portion of the casing. 45 Lubricant is caused to enter the crank case portion by means of a spiral-groove llh formed .in the bushing III as shown in l ig. 12, which also lubricates the lower bearing of the shaft m. Referring to Fig. 12, one wall of the crankcase go portion I" is formed with an upwardly extending eway I42 which opens at its lower end into the crankcase v nar the bottom thereof. and which commlmicates at its upper end with a passageway I48 formed in the closure g member III, the closure member I ll having an annular recess I in its upper surface. The

closure member Ill is also provided with a passageway I which leadsfrom the annular recess 'l to a groove Ht formed in the upper bushing m. The rotation of the eccentric m and the action of the connecting rod Ill, causes lubricant to flow from the crankcase chamber.

' to the compressor are separated from the reclaims:

-l.In a process of refrigeration in which vaporized refrigerant and lubricant are withdrawn frigerant by centrifugal force, in a low pressure sone and just prior to the compressing of the refrigerant. 1 This is an advantageous feature, as it is not necessary. in previous compressors of the sealed type. o pass the lubricant through 5 the compress0r,, thus avoiding vibration which subsequently occurs when the compressor is started, after standing idle for a period of time.

Another feature of the present invention is that the accumulated lubricant is continuously l0 agitated during the operation of the apparatus, so that a rapid transfer of heat takes place with the result that the lubricant in the lowermost portion ofthe chamber will be cooled and that heating of the same will be minimised.

While I have shown and described an embodiment of the invention, manychanges may be eifectedtherein without departing from the spirit and scope thereof, as shown in the appended from an evaporating none and compressed, accumulating lubricant in, a low pressure zone, introducing the refrigerant and lubricant being withg; drawn from said evaporatingtzone into the accumulated lubricant below the level thereof prior to the compressing of the same, whereby to eifect rapid transfer of heat to the accumulatedlubricant and separating the entrainedparticles of 3 lubricant from the refrigerant.

2. In a system of refrigeration having a low pressure side and a high pressure side. the step in the process of refrigeration of introducing refrigerant in the low pressure side into a body of accumulated lubricant, and subjecting the refrigerant, prior to the transfer thereof to the high pressure side to centrifugal action whereby to separate entrained lubricant particles therefrom by centrifugal force. o

3. In a system of refrigeration having a low pressure side and a high pressure side, the step 'in the process of refrigeration of introducing refrigerant in the low pressure side into a body of accumulated lubricant, and subjecting the refrigerant, prior to the transfer thereof to the high pressure side to centrifugal action.,whereby to separate entrained lubricant particles therefrom by centrifugal force and transferring the separated lubricant particiesto said body. 5 4. In a refrigerating system having a compressor, a sealed chamber housing the compressor and being in the low pressure side. of the system 7 for receiving the low pressure refrigerant during its passage to said compressor and rotary means 5 in said chamber for separating by centrifugal force lubricant particles entrained inthe low pressure refrigerant priorto compression thereof.

5. In -a refrigerating system having a compressor, a hermetically sealed chamber housing go said compressor and being in the low Pressure side of the system for receiving low pressure refrigerant immediately prior to compression by said compressor,- and means ln'said chamber for centrifugally separating entrainedlubricant particles from the low pressure refrigerant in said chamber. 4

6. In a refrigerating system acompressor having an inlet, a chamber in the low pressure side of the system communicating with said inlet for receiving low pressure refrigerant and for accumulating lubricant, means in said chamber in the path of the flow of refrigerant for separating by centrifugal force'from the refrigerant lubriside housing a compressor and for receiving into said chamber below the level of lubricant accumulated therein.

8. In asystem ofrefrigeration having a low' pressure side, a'high pressure side, and a hermetically sealed chamber in said low pressure vaporized refrigerant and lubricant, a step in the process of refrigeration of subjecting the refrigerant in the sealed chamber prior to the transfer thereof by the compressor to the high pressure side, to centrifugal action whereby to separate lubricant particles therefrom.

9. The process of refrigeration in a refrigerating system having a low pressure hermetically sealed chamber housing a compressor and employing a volatile refrigerant and a lubricant, which comprises condensing compressed refrigerant, evaporating the condensed refrigerant, withdrawing the vaporized refrigerant and lubricant through said chamber, separating lubricant particles by centrifugal force from the lubricant being drawn through said chamber and compressing the lubricant-freed refrigerant.

10. The process of refrigeration in a refrigerating system having a low pressure hermetically sealed chamber housing a compressor and employing a volatile refrigerant and a lubricant, which comprises condensing compressed refrigerant, evaporating the condensed refrigerant, withdrawing the vaporized refrigerant and lubricant through said chamber, separating lubricant particles by centrifugal force from the lubricant being drawn through said chamber, accumulating the separated lubricant in said chamber, and compressing the lubricant-freed refrigerant.

11. The process of refrigeration in a-refrigerating system having a low pressure hermetically sealed chamber housing a compresscr'and employing a volatile refrigerant and a lubricant,

which comprises condensing compressed refrigerant, evaporating the condensed refrigerant, withdrawing the vaporized refrigerant and lubricant through said chamber, separating lubricant particles by centrifugal force from the lubricant being drawn through said chamber, agitating the accumulated lubricant, and compressing the lubricant-freed refrigerant.

12. In a refrigerating system having a compressor, a hermetically sealed chamber housing said compressor and being in the low pressure side of the system for receiving low pressure refrigerant prior to compression by said compressor, and means in said chamber for centrifugally separating entrained lubricant particles from the low pressure refrigerant in said chamber and for operating the compressor.

13. In a refrigerating system having a compressor, a sealed chamber housing the compressor and being in the low" pressure side of the system for receiving the low pressure refrigerant during its passage to said compressor, and means interposed in said chamber for separating lubricant particles by centrifugal force from the lowpressure refrigerant flowing to said compressor.

14. In a refrigerating system having a compressor, a sealed casing housing the compressor and providing a reservoir for a main body of lubricant containing a substantial quantity of lubricant for moving elements of the system, said casing being in the low pressure side of the system for receiving the low pressure refrigerant, and means for introducing the low pressure refrigerant below thelevel of lubricant during its passage to the compressor to agitate said lubricant to thereby aid in the transfer of heat thereof.

15. In a refrigerating system having a compressor, a sealed casing housing the compressor and providing a reservoir for a main body of lubricant containing a substantial quantity of lubricant for moving elements of the system, said casing being in the low pressure side of the system for receiving the low pressure refrigerant, means for introducing the low pressure refrigerant below the level oflubricant during its passage to the compressor to agitate said lubricant to thereby aid in the transfer of heat thereof, and means for separating entrained particles of lubricant from said low pressure refrigerant before it is compressed.

LAWRENCE A. PHILIPP. 

